They say if you want to lose money, start a soccer team. That phrase may go out of style if more clubs can repeat what Annapolis Blues did this weekend. After going undefeated to start the season on the road, Annapolis played its home opener in front of 8,368 fans in blue on Saturday. That attendance number set a regular season record in the NPSL, pushing the bar ever higher for expansion amateur sides. After falling behind, the Blues battled back for a 4-2 win over FC Frederick and send the crowd home happy. That win would also extend the club’s undefeated streak and bolster its record to 3-0-1. The club is currently in the top spot of the Mid-Atlantic Conference.

Michael Hitchcock, one of the owners of the club, talked about the day as the culmination of a lot of work, but the beginning of a journey. “It's been two years of hard work by a dynamic ownership group and talented front office team so it was very rewarding to see the results of everyone's hard work, investment and commitment to the community. It's a great start for the club but we need to remain humble, hungry and hardworking. This inaugural season is about establishing a solid foundation for the future of the club. June 3rd was something special and a great start.”

While the home opener was certainly a great success, there has been plenty of positives in this first year for the club. Aside from the impressive 3,100 season ticket holders, the Blues have also amassed a number of great partnerships with local companies and brands. Those have the double impact of sponsorship money as well as increasing brand exposure and awareness within the local community. One such local partnership is with Forward Brewing. For Forward Brewing it was something new to sponsor a sports team. Claire Fitch Bowdren, Co-Owner and General Manager, was persuaded after meeting with the team’s ownership. She “felt like the games were going to be an accessible, inclusive, and fun addition to Annapolis…So we decided to sponsor the team -- our logo is on the front of the jerseys -- and collaborate on a beer for them.” That beer is called “Keepers,” a reference to both the local fishing industry and the position on the soccer field. Bowdren’s enthusiasm for the Blues has made her into a soccer fan. “While we weren't necessarily huge soccer fans before this partnership, we're very excited about the Blues and have had a blast at their games so far.”

Michael Hitchcock has had a hand in several big launches in the NPSL over the last couple of years, including Appalachian FC, Lubbock Matadors, and now Annapolis. All of those clubs have garnered almost instant fan support from day one and from Hitchcock’s perspective “It's all about the community. We're taking a community first marketing approach. We focus on engaging the community every step of the way starting with the launch of the club that includes lots of player appearances at area schools, community events, on the soccer fields and partnering with well respected companies who share our commitment to the community.”

Thinking of starting the next successful amateur soccer club, here’s some free advice from someone who’s made it his passion. “Make sure you understand this is a small business, just happens to be the small business of soccer. Like any small business, it's all consuming and takes a lot of work to be successful. We all love the sport. We all love our community. But it's mission critical to run a soccer club like a small business. If you're successful, you can re-invest in growing the club and having an even greater impact on the community. But stay disciplined, adaptable, strategic, hard working, committed and savvy, like all successful small business owners.”

Annapolis are scheduled to play Virginia Beach City FC on Saturday.

- Dan Vaughn